Call of the Cutie

Cheerilee: Let's quiet down please. We have a very important lesson to get to. [class quiets down] Thank you. Today we are going to be talking about cutie marks.

Diamond Tiara: Bo-ring [sigh]

Cheerilee: You can all see my cutie mark, can't you? Like all ponies, I wasn't born with a cutie mark. My flank was blank.

Twist: Aww...! She's so precious!

Cheerilee: Then one day, when I was about your age, I woke up to find that a cutie mark had appeared.

[offscreen: Look at her hair!]

Cheerilee: Yes I know, but honestly, that's how everypony was wearing their mane back then. I had decided to become a teacher, and the flowers symbolized my hope that I could help my future students bloom if I nurture them with knowledge. The smiles represented the cheer I hope to bring to my little ponies while they were learning. Now, can anyone tell me when a pony gets his or her cutie mark?

Twist: Oh! Oh! Oh! When she discovers that certain something that makes her special!

Cheerilee: That's right, Twist. A cutie mark appears on a pony's flank when he or she finds that certain something that makes them different from every other pony. Discovering what makes you unique isn't something [Diamond Tiara: pssst!] that happens overnight, and no amount of hoping, wishing, [Diamond Tiara: pssst!] or begging, would make a cutie mark appear before its time.

Diamond Tiara: PSSST!

Apple Bloom: What?!

Cheerilee: Apple Bloom! Are you passing a note?

Apple Bloom: Uh, I... Um...

Cheerilee: What could be so important that it couldn't wait until after class? [gasp] It's blank.

Twist: Want some sweets? I've got some peppermint sticks. I made them myself.

Apple Bloom: Mm-mm.

Twist: They'll make you smi-i-le.

Apple Bloom: No...

Diamond Tiara: I don't know why we had to sit through a lecture about getting a cutie mark. I mean, waiting for your cutie mark is sooo last week. You got yours, I just got mine. We all have them already. [gasp] I mean, almost all of us have them already. Don't worry, you two, you're still totally invited to my cute-ceañera this weekend.

Silver Spoon: It's going to be amazing.

Diamond Tiara: It's a party celebrating me and my fantastic cutie mark. How could it not be?

Applejack: Don't get your mane in a tangle. You'll get your cutie mark. Every pony gets one eventually.

Apple Bloom: But I don't want one eventually! I want one right now! I can't go to Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera without one, I just can't!

Applejack: 'Course you can. Y'know, I was the last pony in my class to get my cutie mark, and I couldn't be prouder of it. I know my future was to run Sweet Apple Acres, and these bright shiny apples sealed the deal. [gasp] Come to think of it, Granny Smith was the last one in her class, too. Huh, same as Big McIntosh.

Apple Bloom: I really don't see how that's supposed to make me feel better. It probably means that being the last one in your class to get a cutie mark runs in the family. ...runs in the family. Runs in the family! Runs in the family! You've got apples for your cutie mark, Granny Smith has an apple pie, Big McIntosh has an apple half, my unique talent must has som'n to do with apples! Apples apples apples! [crash] Oops... apples.

Applejack: Get your delicious nutritious apples here!

Apple Bloom: Delicious and nutritious, and so many uses! [chomp] You can eat 'em. [gulp] Play with 'em. [groan]

[offscreen: Hey, watch it!]

Apple Bloom: Create fine art for your home with 'em. You have to be crazy not to get a bushel of your very own.

Dr. Hooves: Y...ah... If I buy some apples, will you please leave me alone?

Apple Bloom: Aaal-right!

Applejack: You forgot your change!

Apple Bloom: Woo-hoo! That's how you sell s'm apples and get a cutie mark! So, what does my cutie mark look like? A shoppin' bag full of apples? A satisfied customer eating an apple? Hmm... maybe I gotta increase my sales figures first. YOU TOUCH IT, YOU BUY IT. We take cash or credit.

Applejack: Ugh. Listen, sugarcube, I know it's hard to wait for your very own cutie mark, but, you just can't force it. Besides, you're not that grown-up just yet. Ain't there other fillies in your class without one?

Apple Bloom: Well... Twist doesn't have hers yet.

Applejack: Do you think you'd feel better if you went to the party with her?

Apple Bloom: Mmm-hmm.

Applejack: Well there you go. Bet you and Twist would have a great time together. Now run along and find your friend.

Apple Bloom: You're sure you don't want me to stick around 'till the end of th' market?

Ace: Hey! Who's been using my racket?

Applejack: Yeah. I'm sure.

[knock, knock, knock, knock]

Twist: Oh, what's up, Apple Bloom?

Apple Bloom: So I was thinkin'... maybe we could go to Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera together. I don't have a cutie mark, you don't have a cutie mark.

Twist: Well, um...

Apple Bloom: [gasp]

Twist: Isn't my cutie mark swell? I've always loved making my own favorite sweets, but it took me some time to discover that it was my super-special talent. Pretty sweet, huh?

Apple Bloom: Yeah, pretty... sweet.

Twist: Hey... this doesn't mean we can't go to the cute-ceañera together. You're still gonna come to the party, are you?

Diamond Tiara: Of course she will.

Silver Spoon: It's not like being the only pony there without a cutie mark, would be, like, the most embarrassing thing ever. [laughter]

Apple Bloom: [inhales] There's a cute-ceañera this afternoon and everypony in my class will be there and they'll all have their cutie marks and I wanna get my cutie mark but I'm no good at sellin' apples but I really wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark which my big sister says I'm gonna get eventually but... I WANT IT NOW!

Rainbow Dash: Cutie mark? I can get you a cutie mark like that! [snap]

Apple Bloom: Applejack says these things take time. I have to just wait for it to happen.

Rainbow Dash: Why wait for something to happen when you can make it happen?

Apple Bloom: But Applejack says th...

Rainbow Dash: Hey, who are you gonna listen to, Applejack, or the pony who was first in her class to get a cutie mark? I always liked flying an' all, but I was going nowhere in a hurry. It wasn't until my very first race that I discovered a serious need for speed, and KAZAM, this sweet baby appeared as fast as lightning.

Rainbow Dash: That's right, stretch out those legs. Gotta be nice and loose. The key here is to try as many things as possible as quickly as possible. One of them is bound to lead to your cutie mark. Are you ready?

Apple Bloom: I'm ready!

Rainbow Dash: I said: Are! You! Ready!

Apple Bloom: I'M READY!

Rainbow Dash: Juggling, go! [whistle blows]

Apple Bloom: Ah!

Rainbow Dash: Hang-gliding, go! [whistle blows]

Apple Bloom: Whoa!

Rainbow Dash: Karate, go! [whistle blows]

Apple Bloom: Hi-ya! Ee...

Rainbow Dash: Kite-flying, go! [whistle blows]

Rainbow Dash: Ultrapony Roller Derby, go! [whistle blows]

Roller ponies: [growl]

Apple Bloom: Whoaaa! Whoa...

Rainbow Dash: Tried that one... tried that one... tried that one...

Silver Spoon: Your new outfit is, like, perfect for the party.

Diamond Tiara: I know. It totally shows off my cutie mark.

Silver Spoon: I love being special.

Diamond Tiara: Can you imagine how embarrassing it must be to be... not special?

Silver Spoon: I don't even want to, like, think about it.

Rainbow Dash: Tried that one... tried that one...

Apple Bloom: I'm doomed. Doomed! I'll never find sumth'n I'm good at.

Pinkie Pie: You look like you'd be good at eating cupcakes.

Apple Bloom: Eatin' cupcakes?

Rainbow Dash: Eating cupcakes?

Pinkie Pie: Eating cupcaaakes!

Apple Bloom: I really appreciate all your help Rainbow Dash. You're a really great coach and I really learned a lot from you and I'm sure I can learn a lot more but... I've got some cupcakes to eat! See you at cute-ceañera! Hold on, Pinkie Pie, I'm comin'.

Pinkie Pie: [gasp] But you look like you'd be good at helping me make some.

Apple Bloom: I guess, uh, making-cupcakes cutie mark could work too.

[Pinkie Pie]

All you have to do is take a cup of flour!

Add it to the mix!

Now just take a little something sweet, not sour!

A bit of salt, just a pinch!

Baking these treats is such a cinch!

Add a teaspoon of vanilla!

Add a little more, and you count to four,

And you never get your fill of...

Cupcakes! So sweet and tasty!

Cupcakes! Don't be too hasty!

Cupcakes! Cupcakes, cupcakes, CUPCAKES!

Apple Bloom: [cough] Hot, hot, hot!

Pinkie Pie: Oooh, those look much better than the last batch. [chomp] Mmm...

Apple Bloom: Ugh! I guess I'm not cut out to be a baker either. [sigh] I just have to face it, I'm gonna have a blank flank forever.

Pinkie Pie: What about that?

Apple Bloom: What about what? Is there something on my flank? Is there, is there, is there? [gasp] A cutie mark! It's a... a measuring cup? No. A mixin' bowl? No... Are those cupcakes? A tower of cupcakes maybe.

Apple Bloom: [inhales] Tiara's cute-ceañera's today and everypony in my class will be there and they'll all have their cutie marks and I want to get my cutie mark but I'm no good at selling apples or hang-gliding or making cupcakes, but I wanna go to the party but how can I go to the party if I don't have my cutie mark, which Pinkie Pie says I can't just make appear, but I need it to appear, RIGHT NOW!

Twilight Sparkle: Uhhh... I don't follow. How can I help you?

Apple Bloom: You can use your magic to make my cutie mark appear.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh no, Apple Bloom. A cutie mark is something a pony has to discover for herself.

Twilight Sparkle: Told you that not even magic can make a cutie mark appear before its time.

Apple Bloom: It's hopeless, hopeless! I just won't go to the party, I can't go. Everyone will just laugh at me and make fun of me and call me name. It will be the worst night of my life.

Twilight Sparkle: I'm sure it won't be as bad as all that.

Apple Bloom: Forget it, there's no way I'm going to that [gulp] party.

[ponies chatter]

Apple Bloom: How could I have forgotten the time? How could I have forgotten Pinkie Pie was hosting the party? How could I have forgotten it was at Sugarcube Corner?

Pinkie Pie: Don't forget your party hat, Forgetty Forgetterson!

Apple Bloom: I have to get out of here before anypony sees me.

Snails: [chomp]

Diamond Tiara: Hey! It's my cute-ceañera, I'm supposed to get the first bite at cake.

[pop] [pop] [pop] [pop] [pop] [pop]

Apple Bloom: Okay, Apple Bloom, almost there.

Applejack: Apple Bloom, you made it. After I heard about Twist, I was afraid you wouldn't show up. I sure am glad you came to your senses about this whole cutie mark thing. These things happen when these things are supposed to happen. Trying to rush 'em just drives you crazy. I'll let you be, looks like your friends want to talk to you.

Apple Bloom: I shouldn't. I couldn't. My cutie mark is so unbelievably amazing, I'm afraid that if I show it off, everyone will start paying attention to me instead of you. Outshined at your own cute-ceañera - can you imagine how embarrassing that would be?